Book of Genesis
Old TestamentPentateuch / Law

Book of Genesis

50

Chapters

1,533

Verses

Moses

Author

1445-1405 BC

Date Written

Overview

Genesis is the book of beginnings, recording the creation of the world, the origin of humanity, the entrance of sin, and the beginning of God's plan of redemption through the family of Abraham.

Purpose

To record the origins of the universe, humanity, sin, and the nation of Israel, and to reveal God's plan of redemption.

Historical Context

Written by Moses during the wilderness wanderings, Genesis provided Israel with their identity and heritage as God's chosen people.

Name Origins

Hebrew

בּראשׁית

Bereshit

In the Beginning

Greek

Γένεσις

Genesis

Beginning

Key Themes

CreationFall of ManCovenantFaithProvidenceRedemption

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Book Outline

Primeval History

1:1-11:26

Creation, Fall, Flood, and Babel

Abraham

11:27-25:18

Call, covenant, and faith of Abraham

Isaac

25:19-26:35

The promised son and his family

Jacob

27:1-36:43

From deceiver to Israel

Joseph

37:1-50:26

From slavery to salvation

Key Verses

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
So God created man in his own image.
I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee.

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